Damen’s father had probably dreamed that someday his son would sleep in the chamber for visiting royalty at the giant Veretian fortress at Marlas. But Theomedes had doubtless envisioned it differently than it was actually turning out to be.

“Cousin,” said Damen, extending his hand in welcome the way he had when they had first met, though he did not stop there, and tugged on Laurent’s arm to pull him into a quick embrace. “I am glad that you came to visit.”

After Laurent ran away from Ios, it took Damen seven days to catch up to him, at which point he found Laurent close to the Veretian border and disguised in a truly appalling dress as a prostitute in a brothel.